July 30, 2014

In the coming weeks, I will be sharing lots of 'albums'
with photos taken in recent weeks.  The
explanation for this photo will be shared in
the first album.  Look for it over the weekend!

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” When I came to Psalm 77:11-12 (NIV) during my morning devotions, I backed-up and re-read the verses with the phrase, “It was you,” which is repeated often in Psalm 74:13-17. God used His Words to remind me that I do need to remember, meditate on and consider His past actions, and I also must do the same for His current actions.

What Jack never leaves home 'without' -
his hat (with his BIG 5 Africa pin) and his Bible!

Thus, I must share the promised “story of the blessings God provided for KBTC after Jack decided (last) Monday, ‘Today I am going to let GOD handle everything. I don’t have to DO anything but wait on Him.’” One of Jack’s concerns, which he had hoped that our daughter could tackle during her visit, was installing a new computer program for cataloguing the books in the library. Jessie, who worked in the libraries at both Wake Forest University and Southeastern Theological Seminary, and KBTC’s librarian chose a good software program, but ran into two major problems – the needed software was very costly and the library computer was archaic (no exaggeration) and could not handle the new program!

Jessie's computer students included her Dad!

Last week as they pondered how to do the impossible, God provided the possible! He sent a guest who asked questions, recognized the problem, and provided not just one, but six needed computers! THEN, it was discovered that someone had already gifted an old edition of the desired library cataloguing software to KBTC and the needed upgrade was a fraction of the expected cost! So last week, Jessie became KBTC’s computer ‘expert’ as she set up the computers and taught staff how to use their modern computers and programs! Please join us in praising God for these blessings as you pray for a resolution of the bottlenecks encountered in getting access to additional needed programs.

An important part of any KBTC class schedule -
CHAI TIME!

Another praise is the Pastor’s conference happening this week at KBTC. Two pastors from Texas are using Jonah and 1,2&3 John, to instruct a group of Bible School graduates from across Kenya on how to prepare and teach a section of scripture. The KBTC staff is hoping that all of the men and women attending the conference will become future KBTC students!

I was sooo proud of Parklands Baptist Church's Media
Team last week!  They did a great job, especially
providing live coverage of services on the internet!

Another happening this past week which we definitely know was a God occurrence was the ministry of the Choir and Orchestra of Houston’s First Baptist Church at Ridgeways and Parklands Baptist Churches in Nairobi. It has been a time of mutual strengthening and encouragement. We attended the final service of a week-long revival at Parklands on Sunday and it was definitely a reminder that “It was you… O, LORD” who transformed a ‘baby’ church in the late 70’s to a church where thousands of Believers have a heart for truly sharing their Father’s mighty deeds and miracles with their city, nation, continent and world! You can share bits of the excitement, joy and praises though the photo album, Revival in the Valley, Parklands Baptist Church.

Parklands' revival included time for prayer for Kenya and praise
for what God is doing as His children turn to Him.

I’m also praising God for the great stories I’ve encountered this week from others which I've shared as Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples. There have been so many great stories of how God is at work and how others can join in, that I’ve had trouble selecting only one story to share each day! If you have not already viewed these, I promise that doing so will leave you praising God and thanking Him for what He is doing and joining others praying for needs of our workers and our peoples! BERT YATES

---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---

Revival in the Valley, Parklands Baptist Church at https://www.facebook.com/bert.yates/media_set?set=a.10152985629200130.1073741848.685050129&type=1

Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples at https://www.facebook.com/SubSaharanAfricanPeoples. 

AND NOW... candid photos of the week.  Jack leading devotions a the pastor's conference, Bert taking a photo of her reflection in the library door and Jessie walking (or something) from the upper campus (classrooms/dorms) to the lower campus (administration buildings and library).

July 23, 2014

I'll begin this lengthy update with my favorite 'photo of the week' which was captured on Monday as Jack taught at the School of Missions at the Nairobi Training Centre.

“But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long… I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone” (Psalm 71:14-16 NIV).

Viewing this yesterday in our yard definitely led to praise!

So much has happened in the last week that it is hard to choose how to share our stories and even though our week’s update is going to be long, I promise you will want to read all of it and join us in praising God for all He allowed us to experience! Beginning with how yet again, when I was unsure how to begin writing, taking time for devotions provided me with guidance via His words shared above.

Jack speaking on behalf
of KBTC at Weswah's service.

Two of last week’s stories of hope and praise were of the memorial services for two leaders of the Kenya Baptist Convention. Both the service at Parklands Baptist Church (Nairobi) for Enos Weswah and the one for Daniel Thiuru at Nyeri Baptist Church were truly times of “more and more” hope and praise.

There was sadness, but there was also much joy last Thursday morning as Jack and others shared their memories of Mwalimu Weswah. He was described as “A man God gifted to be a Mwalimu (teacher) and a man who blessed others through his God given gift! A humble man. A leader. A committed Believer. A trusted friend. A loving husband and father” (1).

Nyeri Baptist High School choir singing at Pastor Thiuri's memorial service.

Then on Saturday afternoon, Jack joined others in sharing stories of how Pastor Thiuri didn’t just tell of our Father’s righteousness; his servant attitude and roles as a peacemaker and friend to all were a living testimony of our Father’s mighty acts. Both services included memory after memory of how the speakers became Believers, were discipled or were challenged to proclaim their faith by these two men.

Spotted in the forest
on Sunday in Nyeri.

A favorite memory shared by Professor Douglas Waruta was from his youth when he joined Daniel Thiuri on one of the first mission trips by Kenyan Baptists. None of the early missionaries could make the trip, so Daniel was the assigned driver in his old Volkswagen which lacked a muffler. Travelling through a forest to get to their destination, they realized they were surrounded by elephants. To the surprise of his passengers, Daniel turned off the engine. His explanation was based on his extensive folk lore, “We don’t want them to hear us.” I did a bit of research (2) on the internet this morning and learned that elephants do hear or sense sound waves, such as those made by a VW without a muffler, via their feet! And YES, Daniel also had 'stories of old' about colobus monkeys!

Pastor Thiuri (right) on a coastal tour of the
leaders of the Baptist Convention of Kenya
(2007).  At the memorial service his son-in-law
said he died with his usual smile on his face!

Another very special joy at both of these services was the reunion of so many Baptist friends, pastors and leaders. It was also a time of hope for Jack and I as we heard so many speak of their appreciation for training at the Kenya Baptist Theological College and their hope for the future of the seminary!

There are so many more stories, such as our praise for new Kenyan missionaries being trained this week at the School of Missions for local Baptist churches. I promise to share more next week of the story of the blessings God provided for KBTC after Jack decided on Monday, “Today I am going to let GOD handle everything. I don’t have to ‘do’ anything but wait on Him.” God is handling things in ways that are way beyond any of Jack’s dreams! And I almost forgot another blessing story of the past week - the incredible violin workshop at the college where it was said that "students learned in one week what it usually takes years to learn!"

Jack teaching "Denominations, Sects and Cults" at the School of Missions.

This week’s stories of thanksgiving must be very brief unless I want to write a book rather than an update today. Stories such as when a meeting ran 30 minutes late, which meant we were delayed and avoided a dangerous situation which occurred along our route home at our scheduled time to return!

Students smiling after their concert - many enrolled in KBTC's music program.

Another personal story of thanksgiving this week has been the many opportunities I've had to take photos and a special time with a pro to learn how to take better photos! A story of joy was when I reviewed this week’s daily Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples (3) and realized that God had led me to stories/photos which included all of the top five ‘attention getters’ for these nudges: Baptisms, sunrises/ sunsets, Missionary Kids, African animals, and things that are not the norm in some parts of the world! I’ll let you view the Nudges to Action to figure out which is which!

My very shy pew-mate
during Saturday's memorial service.

I'm way over my usual update length, but God is at work and has allowed us to join in, which has filled us with hope and praise! “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20 NIV) BECAUSE you are the ones who enable us to serve in Kenya as you pray for us, give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program and as you serve as co-workers!
BERT YATES
---   ---   ---

(1) KBTC on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege

(2) http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Elephants-can-hear-through-their-feet-2593114.php

(3) Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607

Yet another story shared via three photos.

This little boy smiled brightly as I began to take his photo
on Saturday,. He then moved away, only to return with a
friend and asked for me to take a photo of the two of them...

... before moving out of the photo so I could also take
solo photos of  his friend - A perfect story to capture at the
the memorial service of a man who cared so much for others.

July 16, 2014

Possibly the first hymn I learned word for word was “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations,” the theme song for GA’s, the WMU missions program for girls. I can still remember singing and dreaming of going to share God’s story to the nations. As I mentally prepared for today’s newsletter, I realized that I likely never thought that one way missionaries tell the story is by reporting stories back to the States of how “the world's… peoples” are turning “their hearts to the right.” But, that is now my job and I love it!

Thanks for your prayers for me as I learn to use my new camera!
I'm thankful that God gifted people to create
camera manuals for people like me!

I get to re-share the stories shared by co-workers among Sub-Saharan African Peoples. This week’s stories included an IMB worker’s belief “that things can, and will, get better… through changed hearts and minds” in South Sudan, a nation of “war, poverty and famine… hopelessness” (July 10) and the story of a missionary’s double blessing of a fish head stew lunch and watching as “20 new Believers responded as his national partners shared the truth of Jesus" among an Unreached People (July 14).

Not the photo used in today's Nudge to
Action for SSAPeoples, but it does
illustrate our need for prayers while travelling!

I also was blessed as I read and shared a co-worker’s story of the results of the ministry of “International World Changers team” and their ongoing story and need for prayers as they “follow up on over 50 people who either repented (Praise God) or want a visit" (July 15). To view today’s shared story, a story of thanksgiving for answered prayer, and others,visit Sub-Saharan African Peoples.  If you’re not a FB member, simply scroll past the SIGN UP/LOG IN bit!

Commissioning of volunteers going on leave by KBTC staff.

Another part of my job is sharing Jack’s stories and those of the Kenya Baptist Theological College. Yesterday I had the joy of taking photos to help share KBTC’s story in Kenya and in the USA. To view more of this story of the KBTC staff commissioning volunteers to share their story while on a short leave in the States and other stories from KBTC, visit KBTC’s Facebook page.

While having devotions one morning, I looked out
the window and thought how things have changed
in Kenya since the attack on the Westgate Mall -
the mall is the cream bit above the peaked roof .

This past weekend I helped Jack share a story on KBTC’s Facebook page which was not one of joy, but the story Hope over fear found in Kenya after attacks which was shared by Baptist Press and by the IMB definitely nudged people to prayer. These stories also shared of the news we shared with you last week of the death of Enos Weswah, a former principal of KBTC.

Pastor  Thiuru, a "great friend of KBTC" and a past
moderator of the BCOK, would have loved this photo
 taken yesterday of KBTC's library and office buildings. 

On Sunday we shared more sad news, the death of another Baptist Convention of Kenya leader, Daniel Thiuri. What we will remember and continue sharing Rev. Thiuri’s stories of how God worked in his life (he caught the attention of one of our early workers in East Africa who not only told him of God’s love, but discipled him and allowed him to become a co-worker) and his traditional tales of old Kenya (his People once placed tobacco leaves on top of graves to keep hyenas from attacking the grave – he always ended this story by sharing that hyenas were smarter than people – they avoided tobacco).

Pastor Thiuri would have been able to identify this
bird (and known I didn't have a clue) which I spotted
 in the poinsettia beside the buildings yesterday!

Pray for us as our story this next week will include times of thanking God for the lives of Pastors Weswah and Thiuri. Join us in praying for comfort and peace for their wives and children, both their physical and spiritual children.

We worshipped at Parklands Baptist Church last
Sunday and had the joy of joining Believers from
around the world in praying for the nations.
Don't overlook the added photos after the links!

Our praise includes another bit I overlooked when singing “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” as a child. We are thankful for those in Africa who have lifted “their hearts to the Lord,” our African brothers and sisters who are telling our Father’s “story of truth and mercy… story of peace and light” to their own people and the peoples of other nations. We also thank God for you and for allowing us to share our stories with you, stories which are also your stories as you pray, give and serve with us. Bert Yates
--- --- --- --- ---
We've a story to tell to the nations – http://lyrics.bandwidthbeta.com/johnpattison/weve-a-story-to-tell-to-the-nations
Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607
KBTC on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege
BAPTIST PRESS: Hope over fear found in Kenya after attacks – http://www.bpnews.net/42951/hope-over-fear-found-in-kenya-after-attacks
IMB: Work continues in Kenya despite terrorist attacks – http://www.commissionstories.com/africa/stories/view/work-continues-in-kenya-despite-terrorist-attacks

Spotted along the way to KBTC yesterday for the
commissioning service/ meal with the staff., where... 

...we were served AND ATE GOAT, LAMB, chicken, rice,
ugali (cooked corn meal) potatoes, rice, cabbage,
irio (like green hot potato salad) and chapati.
Fruits were served for dessert!

And, NO, we were not tempted to stop along the way home for a snack!

July 9, 2014

Today I'm working at my usual in my closet-
office in Nairobi.  This is a photo of me finding an
out-of-the-sun position, but within internet
connection while at the game park in late June.
Did you spot the giraffe by the water hole?

During my devotions this morning, I pondered how to share our experiences of the past week. As I read Psalm 53, the fifth verse ‘jumped out’ at me: “There they were overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread.” On the first reading, I misinterpreted the identity of the ‘they’ and I applied these words to God’s children, rather than the ‘evil-doers’ being filled with terror and fear.

There was a bit of legitimate dread/ fear when we
came around a corner late in the afternoon while at
the game park and spotted a rhino family -
 especially when the big daddy crossed the road and
stared at us as though daring us to come closer.

As I continued reading and came to “Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me” (54:4), I realized that my earlier interpretation was not a mistake. It was God’s reminder that I do allow things to overwhelm and confuse me, when I should be claiming His help and strength. I realized that my pondering what to share was based on the mixture of good and bad news experienced this past week. I was unsure how to balance the extremes as I tried to adequately share our prayer needs and concerns. His Word reminded me that I had to fully allow Him to help, guide and sustain me as I share today.

Pastors Ambrose (Parklands),  Samson Ojienda
 (Baptist Convention of Kenya) and  Bern Otuma
 (Eastgate Baptist) unveiling the dedication plaque.

The good, really good news was the joyful day our church family experienced last Sunday as we celebrated our 4th anniversary and the official inauguration of Parklands Baptist Church Eastgate (formerly PBC Mombasa Road) in our new home, the former site of the Embakassi Baptist Church. Words alone cannot describe the joy and praise as we remembered the beginning of our new church, how God has guided and sustained us, and the excitement of what is ahead as we minister in an area of with 1.2 million residents, with only “100,000 people attending church on any given Sunday” (shared in day’s program). Our prayer request is that our church family will put aside all ‘dread’ and anything that will keep us from claiming God’s power and being His witnesses in the eastern gateway to Nairobi and in all of Nairobi, Kenya, Africa and “to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8)

Jack and Pastor Ambrose with one of our favourite people -
Pastor David Kiatu!

Now for the bad or rather sad news. Early last week, we were keeping up with news from my family as my mother had risky hip surgery and my brother had a stroke. Just as we received word that the two of them were healing well, we learned that Jack’s Mom had suffered a mild stroke. As we began praising God for the care and healing she was experiencing, we heard that there had been another deadly attack on Kenya’s coast. (1) This did concern us as we prayed for peace and healing for all involved, unaware until late Monday that one of those killed was a friend and former colleague.

Weswah leading the procession for graduation at the
Kenya Baptist Theological College in 2008.

Jack shared the following on KBTC’s Facebook page (2) yesterday afternoon: “It is with profound sorrow and shock that KBTC announces the death of our former Principal, Enos Nambafu Weswah, 5 July, 2014. While visiting Mpeketoni near Lamu, he was brutally murdered along with 28 others. Weswah began teaching at KBTC in 1991 and served as Registrar, and Deputy Principal before becoming Principal in 2005. He served until retirement in 2010. He leaves Edna, his wife, and Yolanda, his daughter.”

Paper-thin chapatis, rice, veggies, chicken
and beef stew were served after Sunday's celebration.

Please join us in praising God for caring for our family members in the States and praying for continue healing. Pray also for God’s care, comfort and peace for Weswah’s family and all of the Baptist family in Kenya. Pray especially for the KBTC family as they serve our Father and minister during this time.

I know I often say that we are thankful for your prayer support, but please know that we do depend upon your prayer support and value the many ways you strengthen and encourage us. BERT YATES

---   ---   ---   ---   ---
* Latest raids on Kenyan Coast - http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/06/us-kenya-attacks-idUSKBN0FB05R20140706
**Kenya Baptist Theological College Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/KenyaBaptistTheologicalCollege
Lots of great stories shared this past week in the Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples, which can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607.

And the finale of last Sunday's celebration - a "Piga picha, Mama" request
as we left! The youngest was too busy eating her chapati to pose!

July 6, 2014

Posted on Facebook last week by worker: “Love ALL the LIKES on my new elephant FB cover and profile picture, but what I really want is lots of people viewing / hitting LIKE on the SSAPeoples* page! Lots more people are needed to LIKE/ SHARE that page so even more people can be nudged to join God's work in Africa via praying, giving and serving!” RESPONSE: 86 new LIKES on the page - passing 1000 LIKEs! THANK YOU!!!
* https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607

July 2, 2014

One bird flew away before I could grab my camera!

A symphony is playing outside the window beside my desk and it is very, very difficult to stay focused on my computer screen. During yesterday’s mid-day symphony, I quit working and looked outside, spotting three very different performers beside the window harmoniously chirping away!

A photo of a unique 'rider' on a motorcycle
that I did capture!

One of the joys of life in Africa is constantly seeing God’s beautiful creations – which makes me thankful that my job as the Prayer Networker for Sub-Saharan African Peoples gives me an excuse to take lots of photos as words alone cannot describe the exquisite and unique views and experiences we encounter. BUT I’m constantly not able to capture desired views including a photo this week of a goat sitting on the back of a moving motorcycle, his front legs around the driver’s neck and his head bobbing as he took in the view! Needless to say, ‘boredom’ is never one of our reactions to life in Africa!

Need a new bed frame delivered?
Hire a motorcycle!

Another reason we are never bored is that God is at work in Africa and it is truly amazing to view what He is doing. Jack continues to see how God is at work at the Kenya Baptist Theological College and in the lives of the students, especially as they raise fees. God also continues to lead the right people to KBTC when there is a need. Our daughter, Jessie, is with us for the summer and is fitting her talents with the needs of the college by working in the library assisting the Librarian, Evelynne. Hopefully Jessie, who has worked at Wake Forest University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary libraries, will give us good advice on securing a software program to help us manage the 60,000 books.

This photo was captured through a very dusty
car window, but it is worthy of sharing!

The college is being revived, but there is still so much to be done, including putting a roof on one building, paying bills from past years, and on and on. Yet, Jack is becoming more and more aware that the revival/ restoration is not happening because of his actions or the action of others, but because he and others are trusting and obeying God and then depending upon God to act – WHICH GOD IS DOING!

Signs spotted along the way in Africa
are also worthy of capturing as a photo!

Another joy of my job is reading the incredible stories of our workers throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and sharing these stories with others, nudging them to prayer, giving and serving. Stories such as that of a worker who is thankful for those who prepare BGR Bucket Project Hospice Kits as these allow him to share our Father’s story with those who are dying “who do not know the HEALER” (June 27).

We took a mini-vacation this past
weekend at the foot of Mount Kenya -
Jack loved having devotions outside!

Also shared this week was the story of boys and young men of the Jola-Ejamet People (West Africa), “preparing for a once-in-30-year ceremony… (who) came to see the JESUS Film… watching Jesus speak their language.” The result: Prayer is needed for these boys and young men, one… whom prayed… to receive Christ” (June 30). Another story shared how a prayer request for “well behaved internet” was answered as missionaries met their newborn grandchild via SKYPE (June 29)!

For a view of all these and other great stories of how God is at work and how you can join in His work via prayer, giving and serving, check out this past week’s posts at Sub-Saharan African Peoples on Facebook . If you are not on Facebook, simply pay no attention to the SIGN UP/LOG IN bit and skim on down the page! If you are on Facebook, please hit the LIKE button for the page to the left of the words, Sub-Saharan African Peoples. The more people who LIKE the page, the more times it appears on Facebook, which allows even more people to be nudged to join in our Father’s work in His Harvest Field!

Bert's new FB Cover photo - captured this past weekend at
Sweetwaters Tented Camp. I'll share more photos in coming weeks!

Thanks again for the ways you join us in God’s exciting and never boring work as you pray for us, give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Cooperative Program and serve with us. BERT
---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---
Mission’s Toolbox: Did you know that “Millions of Muslims across Africa observe Ramadan, which provides a unique opportunity for God to draw them to the Gospel” this month? Do you know how to pray for those observing Ramadan this month? Check out the newest tool added to the blog, Mission’s Toolbox - Ramadan in Africa* at http://missionstoolbox.blogspot.com/2014/07/ramadan-in-africa.html.

Nudges to Action for Sub-Saharan African Peoples is found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sub-Saharan-African-Peoples/100173880060607?ref=hl

One last photo this week - one of the sunrises
viewed during our mini-vacation.